Sometimes velocity readings can be pooh-poohed, rightly, as overrated. But when Sale takes the mound against the Yankees in Game 1, everybody will be watching the digits that flash on the Fenway Park scoreboards -- including Sale, in all likelihood -- because they will be regarded as a window into how he feels. To review: When Sale made his last start before going on the disabled list Aug. 12, his average fastball velocity was 98 mph; in his last start of the regular season, his velocity was down a whopping 8 mph to 90 mph. Sale has a deceptive delivery, a great slider and years of experience from which to draw. He can beat any team with less than his best stuff and has before.

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